Toronto Film Festival Premiere "I Swear" Brings Laughter and Light to Lives Affected by Tourette's

Toronto Film Festival Premiere Sheds Light on Tourette's Through Humor and Heart TORONTO - The Toronto International Film Festival premiered "I Swear," a film about Tourette's syndrome, on September 7, aiming to educate audiences about the condition through humor and heart. Director Kirk Jones' real-life story of John Davidson is a crowd-pleaser that challenges common misconceptions about Tourette's. Jones, known for his work on "Waking Ned Devine," wanted to dispel the notion that people with Tourette's are awkward or embarrassing. "We're not trying to make a film that's just about Tourette's; we want to show how it affects people's lives and relationships," Jones said in an interview. The film stars Robert Aramayo, who plays John Davidson, a young man living with Tourette's. Aramayo brought his own experiences as someone with Tourette's to the role, which added authenticity to the performance. "I wanted to show that people with Tourette's are not just their condition; they're complex individuals with thoughts and feelings," Aramayo said. Tourette's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive movements or vocalizations known as tics. According to the Tourette Association of America, approximately 1 in 160 children and adolescents have Tourette's, while adults can also develop the condition. The film's use of humor and heart has resonated with audiences, who are often surprised by how much they learn about Tourette's. "I was expecting a serious, dry film, but 'I Swear' is actually quite funny," said festival-goer Emily Chen. "It made me realize that people with Tourette's are not so different from us." The Toronto International Film Festival has been a platform for films addressing social issues and promoting diversity and inclusion. "I Swear" joins other notable films, such as "Moonlight" and "Parasite," which have used storytelling to educate audiences about underrepresented communities. "I Sware" is distributed by Bankside internationally, Studio Canal in the U.K., and Blue Fox Entertainment in Canada. The film's success at the Toronto International Film Festival has sparked interest from distributors worldwide, with plans for a wider release in the coming months. As "I Swear" continues to make waves in the film industry, it serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and accurate portrayal of marginalized communities. By shedding light on Tourette's through humor and heart, the film hopes to inspire empathy and understanding among audiences worldwide. Background: Tourette's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive movements or vocalizations known as tics. According to the Tourette Association of America, approximately 1 in 160 children and adolescents have Tourette's, while adults can also develop the condition. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Steven Frucht, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Center, praised "I Swear" for its accurate portrayal of Tourette's. "The film shows that people with Tourette's are not just their tics; they're individuals with thoughts and feelings," Dr. Frucht said. Current Status: "I Swear" premiered on September 7 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation from audiences. The film is distributed by Bankside internationally, Studio Canal in the U.K., and Blue Fox Entertainment in Canada. Plans for a wider release are underway, with interest from distributors worldwide. Next Developments: As "I Swear" continues to make waves in the film industry, it remains to be seen how the film will impact public perception of Tourette's syndrome. With its accurate portrayal and use of humor and heart, "I Swear" has the potential to inspire empathy and understanding among audiences worldwide. *Reporting by Variety.*